John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg
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John Sigismund (German: Johann Sigismund) (8 November 1572 – 23 December 1619) was Elector of Brandenburg from the House of Hohenzollern.
He was born in Halle an der Saale to Joachim Frederick, Elector of Brandenburg and his first wife Catherine, Princess of Brandenburg-Küstrin. He succeeded his father as margrave of Brandenburg in 1608. He gave the Reichshof Castrop to his teacher and educator Carl Friedrich von Bordelius. He became Duke of Cleves in 1614. He succeeded his father-in-law as Duke of Prussia in 1618. He held all three titles until his death.
[edit] Family and children
On 30 October 1594, John Sigismund married Anna Amalia of Prussia, daughter of Albert Frederick, Duke of Prussia (1553–1618). They were parents to eight children:
- George William of Brandenburg (13 November 1595 – 1 December 1640). His successor.
- Anne Sophia of Brandenburg (15 March 1598 – 19 December 1659). Married Frederick Ulrich, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg.
- Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg (11 November 1599 – 28 March 1655). Married Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden. They were parents of Christina of Sweden.
- Catharina of Brandenburg (28 May 1602 – 27 August 1644). Married first Gabriel Bethlen, Prince of Transylvania and secondly Franz Karl of Saxe-Lauenburg.
- Joachim Sigismund of Brandenburg (25 July 1603 – 22 February 1625).
- Agnes of Brandenburg (31 August 1606 – 12 March 1607).
- John Frederick of Brandenburg (18 August 1607 – 1 March 1608).
- Albrecht Christian of Brandenburg (7 March – 14 March 1609).
| House of Hohenzollern Born: 8 November 1572; Died: 23 December 1619 |
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| Preceded by: Joachim Friedrich |
Elector of Brandenburg 1608-1619 |
Succeeded by: Georg Wilhelm |
| Vacant Title last held by John William |
Duke of Cleves, Count of Mark, Count of Ravensburg 1614-1619 |
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| Preceded by: Albert Frederick |
Duke of Prussia vassal of Poland 1618-1619 |
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